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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
A modern day twist on the Tarzan tale for teens and adults alike. Cleverly executed, the story will engage readers as they rush to find out the full story of the "primitive boy." Dara and her boyfriend Josh decide to skip Florida for their senior spring break and spend some quality alone time camping in the middle of a national park. All goes well until Dara gets the uneasy feeling that they're not alone, because get this, they're not. Cade has always lived in the woods. His parents escaped from the world and raised their son in the world away from the contamination and disease of humans. When Cade's parents die he continued to live in the forest without them because he didn't know any better. But now that he's seen Dara he is so full of questions. "He's from the woods. She's from the world." is the tagline. And it pretty much summarizes the entire story.
It wasn't incredibly fast paced and lagged in the middle, but it was a new take on an old tale so that was cool. Also, I would have liked to see some better resolution with Dara's boyfriend at the end (rather than nothingness), but oh well. In all likelihood, most reader's will likely forget all about Josh when they start to imagine how hot primitive boy Caleb is:
"Someone had bought him jeans that fit, and his T-shirt clung to his still damp skin. Tied into an intricate knot, his dreads kissed the back of his neck. His skin was paler, all the grim scrubbed away. But he was still golden-brown and keen-eyed. It's just now that he looked like he walked out of an H&M ad."
Overall, imaginative fun summer read. Great for teens and fans of Tarzan or primitive living.
It wasn't incredibly fast paced and lagged in the middle, but it was a new take on an old tale so that was cool. Also, I would have liked to see some better resolution with Dara's boyfriend at the end (rather than nothingness), but oh well. In all likelihood, most reader's will likely forget all about Josh when they start to imagine how hot primitive boy Caleb is:
"Someone had bought him jeans that fit, and his T-shirt clung to his still damp skin. Tied into an intricate knot, his dreads kissed the back of his neck. His skin was paler, all the grim scrubbed away. But he was still golden-brown and keen-eyed. It's just now that he looked like he walked out of an H&M ad."
Overall, imaginative fun summer read. Great for teens and fans of Tarzan or primitive living.
~4.5/5
[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]
I love this book.
The writing was beautiful. The characters were rounded and real and I grew rather attached. The story was perhaps a little slowly paced, but kept me interested the entire time. I loved it.
I do like the original story of Tarzan, but I also just like that type of story in general. I haven’t had the chance to read (or watch) many storylines where a person is brought to a completely new world, like a boy taken from the wild and brought to the modern technological world as in this book, but the idea is so interesting to me. That being the story behind this book is the main reason why I jumped on the chance to get my hands on it.
I loved Cade. He’s wild and he’s confused, but he’s also really sweet. He just wants to go home, but now that he’s been found, society doesn’t want to let him go. The way he grabs onto Dara is just made of swoon. He’s attracted upon first sight, and the way he thinks about her and looks at her, and just feels reassured when she’s around, is delightful. There wasn’t even very much kissing (and it doesn’t even happen until way into the book), but just the eye-contact and hand-holding is utterly romantic. The attraction between them was just jumping off the pages for me, and I was seriously impressed.
While Cade was by far my favorite character in this book, I did really enjoy the others as well. Dara was good and sweet and smart. Her friend Sofia was great, and a really good friend. Josh, Dara’s boyfriend, was a little frustrating, although maybe understandably. Dara’s father was the same way, along with her sister. I was impressed, actually, with how swept up I got in all the characters and their emotions.
The ending is really the only thing I’m a little unhappy with. It was just not quite as closed as I would have liked. I’m not sure if I think doing it differently would have been better, because even if I kind of wanted that I do think that what Cade wanted was what happened, but I still wanted more closure, mainly for their relationship. I also just kind of wanted more, after falling for the characters so much.
I appreciated the sentiment for why Cade’s parents did what they did, and I liked that storyline. It’s a little scary to think about, and I can understand how a person could get so scared and paranoid.
I am seriously impressed with this book, and am so happy about that. Alex Mallory will definitely be an author I will watch, and I know that it’s a pseudonym for Saundra Mitchell so I might pick up one of her books at some point as well.
[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]
I love this book.
The writing was beautiful. The characters were rounded and real and I grew rather attached. The story was perhaps a little slowly paced, but kept me interested the entire time. I loved it.
I do like the original story of Tarzan, but I also just like that type of story in general. I haven’t had the chance to read (or watch) many storylines where a person is brought to a completely new world, like a boy taken from the wild and brought to the modern technological world as in this book, but the idea is so interesting to me. That being the story behind this book is the main reason why I jumped on the chance to get my hands on it.
I loved Cade. He’s wild and he’s confused, but he’s also really sweet. He just wants to go home, but now that he’s been found, society doesn’t want to let him go. The way he grabs onto Dara is just made of swoon. He’s attracted upon first sight, and the way he thinks about her and looks at her, and just feels reassured when she’s around, is delightful. There wasn’t even very much kissing (and it doesn’t even happen until way into the book), but just the eye-contact and hand-holding is utterly romantic. The attraction between them was just jumping off the pages for me, and I was seriously impressed.
While Cade was by far my favorite character in this book, I did really enjoy the others as well. Dara was good and sweet and smart. Her friend Sofia was great, and a really good friend. Josh, Dara’s boyfriend, was a little frustrating, although maybe understandably. Dara’s father was the same way, along with her sister. I was impressed, actually, with how swept up I got in all the characters and their emotions.
The ending is really the only thing I’m a little unhappy with. It was just not quite as closed as I would have liked. I’m not sure if I think doing it differently would have been better, because even if I kind of wanted that I do think that what Cade wanted was what happened, but I still wanted more closure, mainly for their relationship. I also just kind of wanted more, after falling for the characters so much.
I appreciated the sentiment for why Cade’s parents did what they did, and I liked that storyline. It’s a little scary to think about, and I can understand how a person could get so scared and paranoid.
I am seriously impressed with this book, and am so happy about that. Alex Mallory will definitely be an author I will watch, and I know that it’s a pseudonym for Saundra Mitchell so I might pick up one of her books at some point as well.
I’ve always loved Saundra Mitchell’s Vespertine series. She introduced me to the Wild Wild West of YA with nature’s magic thrown in for good measure. The fact that the books were about two things that I’d never picked out on my own volition speak volumes. She also knows how to write a good romance – which is key to keeping me coming back for more. So it was an unexpected, welcome surprise to learn that she wrote a contemporary retelling of Tarzan using a pseudonym.
The novel opens up a little heavy on narration. It was Dara and her boyfriend fumbling through a camping trip that was meant to draw them closer but only managed to do the opposite. We also spent a lot of time in Cade’s head. Because he’s been living in the forest for so long, the appearance of a couple of intruders kept him in a perma-state of wonder. The forest had an air of slight danger. But I think it had to do with the way Cade stalked Dara. He was fascinated with her and the boy hasn’t talked to anyone for years, so I kinda get why he was all creepy.
Cade has such a sad story. From his parents’ choice to leave everything behind, to when they eventually left him behind, it was the kind of sorrow that you would feel with very little provocation. It was that palpable. I felt sorry for his lonesome existence and felt even sorrier when they took him out of the only home he’s ever known. He had no idea how to exist in a modern world. He had a child-like innocence untampered by civilization. So as much as I thought it would be good for him to learn the truth about the lies his parents fed him, his freedom cost him a lot more.
I had a bit of a hard time with Dara’s boyfriend, though. He was a jerk and I’m glad he was barely in the picture. I also felt that there should’ve been more on Cade’s adopted parents. They were really good to him, but Cade’s heart was in the forest so he didn’t know how to connect with them. Overall, I think I’d hoped for more. I mean, don’t get me wrong, the book was a decent size as it is, and most of the plot threads were woven in a nice plait. I supposed it could’ve used a bit more tightening, is what I’m trying to get at.
Wild is an entertaining modern interpretation of Tarzan. It had a lot of heart that will give you a mild case of chest pains. I think that you will learn to enjoy it, too if you go into it knowing that it’s not a perfect book, and as most interpretations go, it’s never as good as the original.
The novel opens up a little heavy on narration. It was Dara and her boyfriend fumbling through a camping trip that was meant to draw them closer but only managed to do the opposite. We also spent a lot of time in Cade’s head. Because he’s been living in the forest for so long, the appearance of a couple of intruders kept him in a perma-state of wonder. The forest had an air of slight danger. But I think it had to do with the way Cade stalked Dara. He was fascinated with her and the boy hasn’t talked to anyone for years, so I kinda get why he was all creepy.
Cade has such a sad story. From his parents’ choice to leave everything behind, to when they eventually left him behind, it was the kind of sorrow that you would feel with very little provocation. It was that palpable. I felt sorry for his lonesome existence and felt even sorrier when they took him out of the only home he’s ever known. He had no idea how to exist in a modern world. He had a child-like innocence untampered by civilization. So as much as I thought it would be good for him to learn the truth about the lies his parents fed him, his freedom cost him a lot more.
I had a bit of a hard time with Dara’s boyfriend, though. He was a jerk and I’m glad he was barely in the picture. I also felt that there should’ve been more on Cade’s adopted parents. They were really good to him, but Cade’s heart was in the forest so he didn’t know how to connect with them. Overall, I think I’d hoped for more. I mean, don’t get me wrong, the book was a decent size as it is, and most of the plot threads were woven in a nice plait. I supposed it could’ve used a bit more tightening, is what I’m trying to get at.
Wild is an entertaining modern interpretation of Tarzan. It had a lot of heart that will give you a mild case of chest pains. I think that you will learn to enjoy it, too if you go into it knowing that it’s not a perfect book, and as most interpretations go, it’s never as good as the original.
Goodness I loved this book despite the ending (indeterminate). It was so cute and the author writes so well and it was an absolute delight to read! This is the longest books I've read in a while but I read strait through it since I couldn't put it down! It was delightful and wonderful all around! The only complaint I have is its a little slow in some parts (it takes about 100 pages to get out of the woods). But slow books don't trouble me at all! It was wonderful!
3.5 stars!
Retelling a classic story can go one of two ways. It can be amazing and mind blowing for the reader, or it can be ok and a little disappointing for the reader. When I went into Wild I knew I would be in one of these two categories and honestly I am sad to say that this book did not blow my mind.
I will say that I really enjoyed the first half of the book. I loved Cade and his way of life. I thought he was a refreshing character to read because he had no sense of the real world. He only knew the world his mother and father taught him, and that was the wilderness of the national park. I think Cade was my favorite character because of how different he was from everyone else. He was just himself and he never tried to really change in order to serve someone else ideals, even when the police threatened him.
Dara was another story altogether. I loved that we got to see her not only through her own voice but through Cade's eyes as well. The only thing that drove me nuts about Dara was the fact that she could not make up her mind on many things. What she wanted out of her own life, what she wanted out of love and most of all, what she wanted out of her Boyfriend. I didn't like that although you could see her feelings growing for Cade, she never really admitted it, even to her boyfriend who she strung along for way too long in my opinion.
The story itself was quite interesting but I ultimately felt like it dragged for most of the book. I found myself wondering when something was going to happen, when the story was actually going to start. But that never really happened. The love story between Dara and Cade was forced at times and I honestly didn't understand it thoroughly. I thought it was more of a distraction for Dara to not pay attention to the issues she was having with her boyfriend.
My favourite part of this entire book was the subplot that I think gets overlooked because if Cade and Dara's relationship. And that is the fact that the Police and Media take over Cade's life and turn it upside down. I found this aspect of the story to be the most interesting part because we not only saw the effect of the police and media on Cade and his way of life, but also to the community. It was interesting to read and seemed extremely real.
Retelling a classic story can go one of two ways. It can be amazing and mind blowing for the reader, or it can be ok and a little disappointing for the reader. When I went into Wild I knew I would be in one of these two categories and honestly I am sad to say that this book did not blow my mind.
I will say that I really enjoyed the first half of the book. I loved Cade and his way of life. I thought he was a refreshing character to read because he had no sense of the real world. He only knew the world his mother and father taught him, and that was the wilderness of the national park. I think Cade was my favorite character because of how different he was from everyone else. He was just himself and he never tried to really change in order to serve someone else ideals, even when the police threatened him.
Dara was another story altogether. I loved that we got to see her not only through her own voice but through Cade's eyes as well. The only thing that drove me nuts about Dara was the fact that she could not make up her mind on many things. What she wanted out of her own life, what she wanted out of love and most of all, what she wanted out of her Boyfriend. I didn't like that although you could see her feelings growing for Cade, she never really admitted it, even to her boyfriend who she strung along for way too long in my opinion.
The story itself was quite interesting but I ultimately felt like it dragged for most of the book. I found myself wondering when something was going to happen, when the story was actually going to start. But that never really happened. The love story between Dara and Cade was forced at times and I honestly didn't understand it thoroughly. I thought it was more of a distraction for Dara to not pay attention to the issues she was having with her boyfriend.
My favourite part of this entire book was the subplot that I think gets overlooked because if Cade and Dara's relationship. And that is the fact that the Police and Media take over Cade's life and turn it upside down. I found this aspect of the story to be the most interesting part because we not only saw the effect of the police and media on Cade and his way of life, but also to the community. It was interesting to read and seemed extremely real.
Ok I admit it, I skipped around, a lot! So, maybe it was a good book in the in-between pages I didn't read, but I doubt it.
Dara and her boyfriend Josh slip out on the spring break trip their parents think they're going on to go camping instead. Soon after setting up their camp, Dara feels like there's someone out there and she's determined to find him. Cade's lived in the forest for as long as he can remember. He hunts, he gathers, he survives, all on his own. The only people he sees are the rangers who sometimes get close to his hidden camp. Until he sees Dara and their mutual fascination proves dangerous.
Cade gets taken back to Dara's hometown where he struggles to understand everything, and everyone else struggles to understand who he is and where he came from. Dara wants to show him everything and help him adjust but all Cade wants to do is go home.
This is a bit of a Tarzan retelling. It was a pretty quick read that I really enjoyed. For the most part the plot moved along at a nice pace, there were only a few times it felt like it was dragging a bit. The writing style was really well suited for the story and it alternated between a light-hearted read and a heartbreaking, helpless feeling.
Cade was a really interesting character. His confidence in the woods, his abilities, his fascination with Dara and Josh, and then when he's brought back to civilization, his confusion, homesickness, just feeling lost and overwhelmed. He was simple but complicated at the same time, so smart about some thing and so utterly naïve about others. Definitely a memorable character.
Dara, I didn't find to be quite as memorable as Cade, but in a lot of ways she was more relatable. I loved her best when she was talking about photography and her love for it. Her passion for it really came through in the writing..
The plot was a little predictable but I expected that with a retelling. It was still a good read with lots of amusing moments, tender moments, some scary moments, and some heartbreaking moments.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Cade gets taken back to Dara's hometown where he struggles to understand everything, and everyone else struggles to understand who he is and where he came from. Dara wants to show him everything and help him adjust but all Cade wants to do is go home.
This is a bit of a Tarzan retelling. It was a pretty quick read that I really enjoyed. For the most part the plot moved along at a nice pace, there were only a few times it felt like it was dragging a bit. The writing style was really well suited for the story and it alternated between a light-hearted read and a heartbreaking, helpless feeling.
Cade was a really interesting character. His confidence in the woods, his abilities, his fascination with Dara and Josh, and then when he's brought back to civilization, his confusion, homesickness, just feeling lost and overwhelmed. He was simple but complicated at the same time, so smart about some thing and so utterly naïve about others. Definitely a memorable character.
Dara, I didn't find to be quite as memorable as Cade, but in a lot of ways she was more relatable. I loved her best when she was talking about photography and her love for it. Her passion for it really came through in the writing..
The plot was a little predictable but I expected that with a retelling. It was still a good read with lots of amusing moments, tender moments, some scary moments, and some heartbreaking moments.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Wild by Alex Mallory was interesting and well written but in the end I just didn’t love it. I was intrigued by the concept and the idea of a Tarzan retelling. But the characters didn’t grab me the way I wanted them to and not a lot happens in this book. I still enjoyed reading it and would recommend anyone interested in the concept to go ahead and pick this one up.
Wild is told from the third person point of view so we get to learn about a lot of characters and see how a the story unfolds from many different locations but never get anything really personal from them. I totally understand the choice to write it this way and this is just my opinion, but I would have almost preferred this be told in alternating first POVs from Dara and Cade. And if not that, I would have next preferred just a first person narrative from Cade. His story is the one that interested me the most. As interesting as it was to hear about him adjusting to “normal” society and some of his thoughts on technology and stuff, I would have really loved seeing it from his POV. But we didn’t get that. It’s such a minor thing and just personal preference but with how long the book ended being and how much more I wanted to learn about Cade, I just keep wondering how first person would have made the book different. It was still fun watching Cade be introduced to modern technology and indoor plumbing and stuff, but otherwise I think I just wanted more from all of the characters and to really learn what Cade thought of people and how we live. Dara as a character was just okay for me. She was nosy and I felt like she should have manned up when it came to Josh and their relationship instead of dragging her feet and treating him the way she did. I thought Lia, Dara’s sister, was an interesting character that didn’t quite get the moment she deserved. Sophia, Dara’s best frind, is the only character I really liked and thought was given just the right treatment. Overall the characters were fine. I really liked Cade and Sophia but I wasn’t a huge fan of Dara.
I did think the book was well written. Considering how long the book is and how not a lot really happens, I had no trouble reading it in just a couple days and would recommend it to people. While I haven’t actually seen any Tarzan movies (I know!), I do know a little bit about the story and think it was very well executed as a YA retelling. Also, I thought the ending was actually really well done. This book is a standalone (as of now, at least) but the ending is left open a little and I liked that it felt fluid and hopeful rather than cliffhanger-y or just over. I don’t know if that makes sense or not but I liked reading a story and feeling a sense of satisfaction with how it ended and I got that here.
Like I said earlier, I liked this book but didn’t love it. Besides from not liking Dara much, I also thought that not very much happened in this book. I think it’ll be one that a lot of people like because it does deal with interesting characters and Cade’s introduction into society after living in the woods his entire life was compelling. But the reveal about his past wasn’t as shocking as I was hoping and, again, not much happens. When looking at the characters from the beginning and then again at the end, I can see some change in them but not a lot of growth or accomplishments. It really is just a story about this short period of time where Dara’s and Cade’s lives overlaps and how they deal with it. If you’re looking for a lot of action and adventure, you won’t find it here. But if you want a character story based on Tarzan, you’re looking in just the right place. I’d recommend this book along with a mention that there’s not a lot of action.
*I received this book for free from Around the World ARC Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
Wild is told from the third person point of view so we get to learn about a lot of characters and see how a the story unfolds from many different locations but never get anything really personal from them. I totally understand the choice to write it this way and this is just my opinion, but I would have almost preferred this be told in alternating first POVs from Dara and Cade. And if not that, I would have next preferred just a first person narrative from Cade. His story is the one that interested me the most. As interesting as it was to hear about him adjusting to “normal” society and some of his thoughts on technology and stuff, I would have really loved seeing it from his POV. But we didn’t get that. It’s such a minor thing and just personal preference but with how long the book ended being and how much more I wanted to learn about Cade, I just keep wondering how first person would have made the book different. It was still fun watching Cade be introduced to modern technology and indoor plumbing and stuff, but otherwise I think I just wanted more from all of the characters and to really learn what Cade thought of people and how we live. Dara as a character was just okay for me. She was nosy and I felt like she should have manned up when it came to Josh and their relationship instead of dragging her feet and treating him the way she did. I thought Lia, Dara’s sister, was an interesting character that didn’t quite get the moment she deserved. Sophia, Dara’s best frind, is the only character I really liked and thought was given just the right treatment. Overall the characters were fine. I really liked Cade and Sophia but I wasn’t a huge fan of Dara.
I did think the book was well written. Considering how long the book is and how not a lot really happens, I had no trouble reading it in just a couple days and would recommend it to people. While I haven’t actually seen any Tarzan movies (I know!), I do know a little bit about the story and think it was very well executed as a YA retelling. Also, I thought the ending was actually really well done. This book is a standalone (as of now, at least) but the ending is left open a little and I liked that it felt fluid and hopeful rather than cliffhanger-y or just over. I don’t know if that makes sense or not but I liked reading a story and feeling a sense of satisfaction with how it ended and I got that here.
Like I said earlier, I liked this book but didn’t love it. Besides from not liking Dara much, I also thought that not very much happened in this book. I think it’ll be one that a lot of people like because it does deal with interesting characters and Cade’s introduction into society after living in the woods his entire life was compelling. But the reveal about his past wasn’t as shocking as I was hoping and, again, not much happens. When looking at the characters from the beginning and then again at the end, I can see some change in them but not a lot of growth or accomplishments. It really is just a story about this short period of time where Dara’s and Cade’s lives overlaps and how they deal with it. If you’re looking for a lot of action and adventure, you won’t find it here. But if you want a character story based on Tarzan, you’re looking in just the right place. I’d recommend this book along with a mention that there’s not a lot of action.
*I received this book for free from Around the World ARC Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*